Eva Heilman

Eva Katherine Boespflug Heilman, 93, of Great Falls, passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2016.A visitation will be held at 5:00 p.m. followed by a vigil service at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12, 2016 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery.Eva was born August 3, 1923 in South Heart, North Dakota, to Rochus and Monica Gieser Boespflug. After the death of her father, Eva moved to live with her grandparents in Richardton, North Dakota, along with her mother, three sisters, and two brothers. Sister number four, Tilly was born in Richardton, six months after her father's death. Her mother met and married Eva's stepfather, Francis Kuhn who was a monk at Assumption Abby. The family moved to Mandan, North Dakota, where Eva worked as a farm hand and babysitter after graduating eighth grade. She was 17 when she moved with her sister, Rose to Dickinson, North Dakota.Eva was working as a server in a family cafe when the milkman asked her to the movies. After dating for nearly a year, the milkman, Larry Heilman was to be drafted into the Army, so he enlisted in the Navy. Larry and Eva were married on March 6, 1944 in Richardton, North Dakota, during a severe blizzard. The priest, best man, and maid of honor were the only attendees.Larry left for recruit training in San Diego, California, while Eva went back to work as a server. A short four weeks later, Larry returned after leaving the service with a medical discharge. They purchased a travel trailer and began touring the Western United States. During that time, both worked several jobs, and Larry loved to tell how they drove down Beverly Hills Blvd. in Beverly Hills, California, towing the trailer (which was illegal at the time), just so Eva could see a movie star. As the story goes, they were not caught, but Eva did not get to see a movie star. After many years, they settled in Great Falls, Montana. There, Eva found her dream home and moved into the house in January 1965, during a very cold winter.Eva's favorite pastimes were gardening, crocheting, canning, and dancing with her husband.Eva was active in the St. Luke's Altar Society and the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. She visited many homebound parishioners as well.She is preceded in death by her parents; stepfather; sisters Rose, Tilly, Emma, Monica, and Agnes; brothers Joseph, Jim, and Roy; and her husband of 61 years, Larry Heilman.She is survived by her brothers, Francis, Matt, and Tim Kuhn; son Jim, his wife April, their children Jennifer (Kevin Haas) and Tyrel; five great-grandchildren; and daughter Teresa, and her husband, Andrew Horton. Eva leaves many close friends, especially Jim and Judy Christians, Dwayne and Joan Campbell, Jack and Janet Keith, Mike and JoAnn Preciado, and Rea Wertz. Eva's legacy includes many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.